How we met...

It was a Thursday, January 6, 2000, and I had just arrived in Chicago from La Crosse, Wisconsin. I was connecting to a flight heading to Northwest Arkansas on American Airlines. I remember what I was wearing--charcoal gray turtleneck, over-alls (they used to be in style), and black buckle shoes. My hair was shoulder length then. I had a job interview at a hospital in Springfield, Missouri, but had decided to see my parents and then rent a car and drive up from Fayetteville. The passengers boarded, and I had a window seat. There was a guy sitting in the aisle seat on my row. He got up and let me in. It turned out that he was flying to Fayetteville, too. He was supposed to have been on the flight the day before, but his connecting flight out of Chicago had been canceled. The passengers had been rescheduled to the following morning. Having grown up in Fayetteville, I was curious what brought him there. He was giving a lecture at the University of Arkansas and then heading down to Stuttgart to go duck hunting with a couple of professors. We had a good chat and at the end of the flight I wished him good luck with the lecture and better luck with the hunting. He wished me good luck with my job interview.

I've heard that timing is everything. We were both going through some major changes in our personal lives and could definitely relate to each other. But, I had come to a point in my life where I was not looking for someone at all.

At the end of the weekend, I returned to the airport to find out that I had looked at my itinerary wrong and missed my flight. No problem, I could go on the 2 o'clock or the 5 o'clock. I chose the latter because I didn't want a three hour lay over in the O'Hare airport. Turns out that the same nice guy I sat by on Thursday was on that flight, too. We chose to sit by each other and had the best conversation. We did exchange email (the computer stuff was new to me) because he knew someone that lived in the middle east where I wanted to do contract work for a year. Anyway, I never went to the middle east. I took the job in Missouri and we started dating long distance. I eventually moved up to Central Pennsylvania.

Now, I occasionally wonder what my live would have ended up to be had Pete flown into Fayetteville the previous day like scheduled. Or what if I had sat by someone else and never spoken to him? Did you ever see "Sliding Doors" with Gwenyth Paltrow? It is a moving that follows two parallel lives of her character and show you how circumstances can change our lives from one path to another. It is an awesome movie. But, I kind of feel like that is what happened in a big way in my life back then.

Friday fun

Tomorrow the kids and I fly back to Pennsylvania. I can honestly say that I have had a good visit. There isn't a lot to do in the small town where my parents live. About 4 years ago they moved from my hometown to this little town, in a dry county, of about 12,000. So, coming back is always a bit low-key. Most days, I have been in my PJ's until 11 am!

My sister flew us down here so the grand kids could cheer up my mom. My mom said it had been the worst Christmas since her own mother was diagnosed with cancer over 35 years ago. My mom has been pretty upset with my brother's impending divorce and my dad broke his wrist and couldn't do a lot for himself. I think that was enough stress for my mom this year. I hope we have helped her out a bit. Thanks to the sis.

My sister was on call for most of the time we were down here, but she would come by in the evenings and play with my kids. They love her and their uncle Alan. Kendall even said she wants to be like Aunt Kim when she grows up. So, knowing that Friday might be the only time for my sister to get out, we have put together a little karaoke night. She invited the women in her clinic and even the other female doctor is coming along. We are going to Eureka Springs (not in a dry county) and I hope to find a fun place. Right now, I am listening to youtube to try to get some ideas for tonight. I'm in an Abba mood to celebrate time with my sister. In Dec 2006, she flew to NYC and I met her there. We saw Mamma Mia and had a blast! I plan on singing a few Abba songs because I know she will think it's a hoot. I think I will start with Dancin' Queen if the bar has it. Any suggestions out there? I also like the Dixie Chicks, Mary-Chapin Carpenter, and Carrie Underwood, to name a few. I want to keep it light and fun!!!

So, happy Friday, everyone.

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

Today we visited the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. It was really impressive.

Click on my photos down on the lower left to see some pictures.

And the winner is...

Click on this link to find out who you agree/disagree with on the issues.* I was quite shocked by the results, but find it very interesting.




*I got it from NYKAT. Thanks, Kat.

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone has a great new year. I am at my parents' house in Arkansas so I will have my blackeye peas for good luck. What do you eat on New Years? Anything special?

Also, I got to see my brother for a couple of days. It was nice seeing him although he still treats me like I am a five year old. We stayed up late with my sister and her husband playing an old board game called "Stock Market" and Mexican dominoes. I haven't played games in forever! I'm tired. My parents live in a dry county so I'm not hung over. ha ha.

Again, Happy New Year, everyone!!!